Blog

What a magnificent and powerful day. We have emerged from the winter days and its dark mysteries to see new life grow once again. Spring is upon us and with her she brings a new moon and a solar eclipse. It isn’t very often that the forces of nature combine all together during a shift in season. I sit in awe at all of these forces and begin to relate them to my body- my Earth.

Of course, spring represents a time of renewal and hope of new life. But, more importantly it represents the death of the dark days of winter and- well- old life in a sense. It is a time to pay honor to those lessons that you have struggled to learn and those ideas that have been brewing inside of you these last few months and start shining a bright light on them. I don’t know about you, but this past winter was loud with her commands in the ways I need to heal, wake up and pay attention. Days were not easy but I dug in deep and knew that the dark was necessary in order to wake to a bright dawn.

What strikes me most about this spring equinox is that it falls on a dark, or new, moon in an eclipse! There is no greater symbol than the moon at representing the cycle of life from birth to death, dark to light, expansion to contraction. This cycle reverberates through every living thing. But for women it is a physical expression seen through her monthly bleed- the shedding of old and preparing for the possibility of new. For me and my past struggles with hypothalamic amenorrhea, connecting to the dark moon has been like coming home to a place you could always feel the importance and presence of but have never been. In order to wake to the rhythms of this power I had to, once again, look at what really needed to be addressed in my dark corners. I had to tune into my body and be brave enough to step into a relationship with something so ingrained in my being yet so distant- the rhythms and tides of Mother Earth. As I honored my dark, my flow and my rhythms it illuminated a deeper imbalance that I see in so many.

In nature we tend to see things from a more feminine point of view. And the current, necessary awakening and awareness around the feminine aspect within ourselves is strong at this time. Mother Earth and her rhythms embody all aspects of the feminine. But bring in this solar eclipse, the dance of Sun (masculine) and Moon (feminine), and we are reminded that the energies of feminine and masculine, light and dark, sun and moon, have to both be present for life to emerge- in perfect balance.

What does this all mean?

I work with many women with hormonal and emotional conflict in their lives. The dark moon has not been something to honor as important, like our monthly shedding of the old. I see men who are craving to be in tune with an aspect of themselves they have felt ashamed to connect with. They cannot express this fierce, sun warrior light they hold without ridicule or misunderstanding. Our ability to feel the rhythms of nature in tune with our own nature has been tampered out by so much societal noise. Our lack of self-awareness around the importance of journeying through light and dark times, within and without, has created emotional chaos in so many of us. We no longer honor the simple and the beautiful aspects of the miracle of life. We have been thrown off balance by not understanding how to nurture and honor both aspects of light and dark, masculine and feminine. All of this manifests in many ways in our lives but greatly impacts our sexual and hormonal health, our emotions and our creativity.

This Spring Equinox is here to deliver us a juicy serving of self-awareness- to shed, to light up with bright intention and to find the natural balance within and honor all aspects of ourselves so we can heal. Here are some reflections and actions you can take to honor this changing of the season within and without.

Ask yourself this… Take your time and be kind with your answers.

What have you been holding onto that you need to let go of?

What is your relationship with your beautiful bleed? (women)

If you wanted to Spring 3 things to life what would they be?

When you think of Mother Earth what emotions stir inside of you?- Do any?

What do feminine and masculine energy mean to you? Where in your body do you feel these energies?

Sync up:

Honor the phases of the moon: As you now know the dark moon represents a time to shed and let go. Clearing space for new opportunities and clearing baggage each month will keep you focused and light so that when the Full moon rises you can set to action with bringing things to life. There are many simple rituals. You can write down those things you wish to shed at the new Moon, thank her and the Earth for hearing your heart, burn and bury. Light a candle on the full Moon with a clear and intentional prayer- sit in meditation and gratitude.

Understand the balance within: Every living thing has a feminine and a masculine side. In the human body the masculine resides in the right side of the body (right ovary for women) and the feminine in the left (left ovary). I guide clients through a meditation that connects these energies to various areas in their life. Simply tuning in and envisioning the sun/moon, fire/water balance can help you see where you may need to balance.

Seed cycle: This is a simple and nourishing way for women to balance their hormones with food. Seeds are the essence of life and Spring. By using certain seeds at certain phases of your cycle you can balance and connect. The quick version is consuming pumpkin and flax in your follicular phase and sesame and sunflower seeds in your luteal phase. Don’t know what follicular and luteal are? Want further guidance? Contact me…

Do a fertility cleanse: Cleansing is by far the most popular way to honor Spring and to let go of the old. Fertility cleansing to increase your awareness of your hormonal and emotional rhythms will also address stagnation in the whole body.

Plant some flowers: Physically getting your hands into the Earth is the most intimate way. Honor her and all of the elements that help us all grow.

In my recent acupuncture session it was mentioned to me that I could work on my “belly fire”. I consider myself quite a firey type already but something in me knew exactly what she was talking about. When I began to dissect my life (as anyone would after that) I realized that having strong fire in the belly is a constitutional state that bridges mind/body/emotion. It fuels your light, your creativity, your ability to be nourished fully and even express your sexuality with ease and confidence.

So, I dug a little deeper into my life and began to recall how it looks and feels when there is a strong fire in my core. I move through my life with confidence. My body is warm and limber. My digestion is strong, my eyes bright and my speech strong and clear. I want to connect with others (if you know what I mean) and I feel creative and unapologetic for my self expressions. What was I doing at those times to keep that fire going? More importantly what signals can I look for when I need to reignite my fire?

When your flame is a flicker

Physical:

You digest poorly and feel bloated or full even after small amounts of food

Stuff stinks on its way out

Your breath is shallow no matter how deeply you inhale

Your hands and feet tend to be cold

Your libido is low

Your brain is slow

Emotional/Spiritual:

You do not feel passion for much of anything

You would rather isolate than socialate (it’s a word- I think)

Your creativity is low

You feel disconnected from your source of spirit and inspiration

Your speech is messy and lacks confidence

Getting to a state of strong internal fire can take some work. The key is being able to tune into the signals that need the spark and then addressing those areas.

How to bring the fire back

Rest– Have you simply burned yourself out? Nourishing your adrenals and getting rest is your first step if you are fizzled out.

Breathe– Spend some time each day to sit and breathe- deeply. Most people do not have full access to their breath. Breath massages internal organs, fuels your brain, ignites your chakras and signals your parasympathetic system that life is good. I have been working with transformational breath work sessions and it has been a major catalyst in lighting my fire. Email me for practitioners and details!

Diet– If you are eating in a hurry and what you are eating consists of processed foods, coffee, sugar and cocktails well then… If you are eating what you consider balanced I would slow down and chew to start. You can then try adding in a digestive enzyme. Warming herbs like cumin, cinnamon, ginger, turmeric and fennel are amazing for natural fire and they soothe and digest. Always consult some guidance when working with supplementation.

Dance- This works every time. Move that belly and wiggle those hips

Have Sex– I know, “your tired tonight”. But, sex is a sure fire, fire starter. Plan it, practice it, do it. If want to keep the machine greased up and ready you have to start her, or him, up every once in awhile.

Eat some chocolate?! Well, only because I love you and it’s the month of love. Yes, it’s sugar. But, in the moment it can turn you up and turn you on- in moderation of course. Enjoy.

If you don’t know where to begin or if you can’t get your fire going- email me. As always, listening to the body’s cues for when your systems start to fizzle is the first step. They are there to guide you so you know how to tune in and reignite your own internal flame.

“I laid down to maintain connection with my uterus/sacral chakra, as you suggested -being that I haven’t connected with the self-care massage. I spiraled through a cycle of breaths with one hand on my sacral chakra, one on my heart. A few moments into this, I had an image of a magenta chrysanthemum blooming internally, where my uterus holds space. Instantaneously, tears started flowing. A few hours later, I started my bleed. I have no cramping. Something…”. ~words from a client.

When I began working directly with abdominal and pelvic health I knew that I was stepping into a powerful realm. I understood the benefits of abdominal care from a physiological view as that can be quite objective and measured. But it is in the unmeasurable and magical shifts that the body goes through when the unseen parts of us are accessed that the elusive path to opening one’s heart begins to appear. And most of those unseen parts live deep within the most sacred and misunderstood parts of our body. In my experience the root of your journey truly begins in the pelvic bowl as it houses your ideas about love, creation, sex, fear, shame, pleasure (doesn’t always mean sex) and communion. (And, to clarify, pelvic bowl/health is in reference to your reproductive organs physically and your first and second chakras energetically)

Most of us do not even think about our pelvic health as we were never taught about how we should feel about our pelvis. In fact, most of us were taught to not feel, to not talk and to not think too long about what happens in your pelvis as you may be considered “loose” or immoral. When we create stories and withhold education those feelings of fear, shame, guilt and more are born directly into the very part of us that the story is based. These dangerous messages are what I believe to be the basis for the amount of abuse (verbal and sexual) and the derogatory and harmful portrayal of sexuality in our society. I realize that this is very sensitive material but it is necessary to name what lurks in our dark places in order for our lives, our love and our hearts to blossom.

The pelvis, as mentioned, holds our reproductive organs- our sexual and creative function. If there has been trauma, surgery, dis-ease and other lifestyle/life-story factors that have affected our pelvis we will very likely have physical imbalances that manifest in sexual dysfunction, painful menstrual cycles, fertility issues, pelvic pain and more. These are all signs that your pelvic health is in need of attention and not necessarily the kind that takes a pill or an invasive surgery. We may also have a sense of imbalance in our relationship to “self”. This may show up in ways that you wouldn’t relate directly to your pelvic bowl. Do you ever feel like you cannot express what you know deep down in your heart? Do you have a “sense” that you know the reason you are having pain and imbalances but you do not know how to access the wisdom and strength to guide you?

By accessing the physical and energetic components in the very place that holds your ability to create, reproduce, connect sensually and feel pleasure, your heart center will naturally begin to open. You will begin to feel safe, grounded and more expressive in your body as new energy, blood, oxygen and nutrients can flow more freely. How do I know? I see it daily in my clients. I have taken the path and have witnessed an opening in myself that only comes from knowing your pelvis and her/his messages intimately.

What is Pelvic Health?

Physical:

Your periods are regular and easy

You know when you ovulate and feel juicy

You can easily maintain an erection

You have a healthy appetite for sex and can achieve orgasm

Your hips move without restriction and pain

Energetic:

Feeling grounded in your “sense of self” and with others

Being in touch with your sexuality and the ability to express your feelings

The ability to listen to your body’s cues without fear

Having access to your creativity

You trust the messages in your heart –then allow the mind to initiate the movement

How do I achieve pelvic health?

Beginning the journey into understanding your pelvic health may seem a bit daunting as it will stir emotions and possibly move you to shifting a paradigm of thought you have lived with as “true” for your entire life. If you are not ready to address the emotional piece, simply allow the physical benefits to do their work and the rest will follow for you. You will want guidance, you will need tools and you will have to be ready to commit to this path.

Maya Abdominal Massage. This non-invasive abdominal therapy is specific mostly to pelvic health and vitality. By addressing the reproductive organ positioning and stagnation you can begin to balance and nourish the pelvic bowl. (men also benefit)

Vaginal Steams: Vaginal steams are exactly what they sound like. You create a lustral steam of specific herbs, flowers, plants, sit over the steam and allow it to work its way up into your pelvic bowl softening the belly and the vaginal tissue. It is remarkable for painful menses and post partum care. In my practice I guide woman in how to do this simply at home. “it felt like a much needed ritual”- client

Sitz Baths: For those of you who do not have vaginas or are very sensitive, the sitz bath is quite therapeutic. Again, I like to use herbs and flowers in any bathing type practice I do. You can add salts and vinegar for additional cleansing. Simmer the herbs for a bit and then strain into your bath. Simply immerse your lower half in the bath of your concoction and warm water, sit for about 10 minutes, drain and finish with a quick cool bath.

Kundalini Yoga. This powerful practice works with specific breath techniques and movements to awaken life force energy at the base of the spine- or your kundalini. As this life force rises it moves stuck energy up and out of the body.

Herbs and flowers: My favorite all time herbs for the “pelvic bowl love” are hibiscus, rose and damiana. You can take them in tea form, bathe with them, buy the essences or essential oil and massage into your pelvic bowl. All three are for opening and nourishing love, libido and flow.

Female and Male Tonic: These tonics are from herbs harvested in the Belizean Rainforest with prayer and love. Each tonic is specific to clearing stagnation in the pelvic bowl. The Female Tonic has an added herb specifically for feminine insight. You can buy these at the Tummy Temple! (if you order online remember your 10% discount code: “Jamie” at checkout)

Embrace this month of LOVE to begin the journey of how healing your pelvic bowl will create the path to opening your big beautiful heart.

As always I would love to hear from you regarding your pelvic and abdominal health- or just to say hello.

With Love…

“Learn to Listen to Your Gut”

Because I LOVE You- February Specials

Give someone you love the gift of pelvic, belly and emotional health ($120) and you will receive $20 off a session for yourself.

Wow, that was fast- a year gone by. I have learned and grown and blossomed in ways unexpected this year. I have worked hard on my health and well-being to be in a place where I feel safe and grounded enough in my body to tackle the next lessons ahead. Yes, many realizations, welcome and uncomfortable. I will forever be a student of the body’s wisdom but there are a few things I know to be absolute truth regardless of the ever changing somatic landscape.

The emotional body needs cleansing to create any lasting shift in your health

You cannot do it alone

Patience and persistence are the hardest and most necessary “pill to swallow”.

Hmmm… Emotional body?

“Let’s stop being afraid of our body and its reactions. Let’s allow ourselves to express our emotions. We mustn’t forget that emotions affect our physical body. Understanding this is a first step towards a better life.” – Jean- Pierre Barral

The body is a remarkable instrument responding every second to every sensation that comes in contact with it. It is constantly recording every movement, every bit of food and drink, every pleasure, every injury and every emotion. It is created to handle a certain amount negative “recordings” as we have a constant positive and negative charge circulating within us to maintain balance or homeostasis.

My Cranio Sacral teacher at Bastyr University a few weeks ago explained this positive/negative dance in relation to trauma and imbalances in the body. She simply said that when the body registers a sudden traumatic event those negative charges surge and sometimes overpower the body’s ability to balance itself positively. This negative “surge” then has nowhere to go and is trapped within our tissues. In cases of chronic and persistent stress and trauma, those negative signals are reinforced and those parts of our body begin to develop disease as their ability to balance and release has been impaired. (ok- are you following me?). In short, trauma, negative emotions and stress interrupt your body’s natural ability to bring balance to itself.

The parts of the body most effected are typically the abdomen and pelvis. Why? Your organ tissue is the most susceptible to emotional energy which is why you get butterflies in your stomach or the awful broken heart. (read more here). Also, it is now very well known that the body extends past its physical form into the energy or astral body represented by 7 chakra layers that start at the base of the sacrum and rise through our vertebrae and out the crown of our head. This is the basis of eastern metaphysical studies in Ayurvedic principles and is now being scientifically recorded and studied as a way to detect and heal illness in the body. Which is why when we address healing we must address energy. When our chakras are open and balanced we become highly in tune with the healing capacities of our body and our soul.

“Each Chakra is considered to resonate at a different frequency level. With new BioWell software, it is now possible to quantitatively estimate the energy of Chakras and graphically display their level of activation, and indicate whether this level of activation is above or below the level found from large numbers of subjects.” Dr. Pradeep B. Deshpande (1)

So, what does this mean really? It means that as you begin to address your health issues you may have to look at patterns, fears, stressors and trauma in your life- past and present. As mentioned these traumas are typically imbedded in our bellies and pelvic area as most everything sacred about who we are hits right in our center. Which is why I find that most of my clients have a trauma story. From the extreme- victims of abuse, abortions, miscarriages, loss of loved ones to the seemingly less severe but highly impactful such as -disordered eating, unhappy marriages, grief over never having children and life depleting jobs. This is not an easy subject to approach as it stirs fear and emotion. It also stirs truth- EVERY person deep down knows that this is where their energy got shut down, how their chakras became bound and where that golden nugget to begin their emotional detox lies. But, reversing these patterns and bringing that flow of energy and healing into your life doesn’t just happen alone- I know I have tried.

You Cannot Heal Alone

Yes, what a year and I would not be here, writing this to you if it weren’t for the many people who have inspired and guided me along the way. I didn’t come to this realization until it was forced upon me-by me. I did not want to look at my trauma or I thought “I know what to do” and tried incorporating my own unguided healing practices. I fell into a deeper hole as I felt a sense of failure and hopelessness. I hit bottom in the beginning of September, so I prayed- yes prayed. The message back to me was- “get help, your life and health depend on it”. In truth I always wanted help, but I lived behind excuses of not having enough money or time. We all have those excuses and stories and I hear it every day from clients. But, what is the point of living this incredible life if it is in pain- all the time and money in the world doesn’t matter then. And, when you truly begin to follow your path of deep healing, abundance shows up to help you- it’s just the way the Universe works.

So, I listened and I jumped in to the turbulent waters of my life and instead of drowning I was carried by those who showed up to keep me kicking and breathing and floating no matter how much fear weighed me down some days. My body has changed and something has shifted. My 20 year battle with digestive issues has taken a turn and my amazing emotions (haha) are revealing so many gifts. – (I would love to tell you more about what it took and I would love to hear from you below) Guidance, healers, bodywork and maybe a good doctor are all necessary and will shift your healing and your life. However, your path will not fully reveal itself and healing cannot take place unless you truly face the trauma that spurred the imbalance in the first place. And this may mean you leave a job, a relationship and a belief system you have held close all of your life. This will take time and work and support.

Patience, persistence and essential self-care tools for healing.

We live in a fast paced, results now society. All of the incredible advances have allowed us to live a bit longer, more conveniently and more “connected” to the world but so disconnected from ourselves. The last thing anyone wants to hear is that it might take time-a year or more even -to find peace and health within. Time- it goes by no matter what you do and you can either be in the same sick, tired, anxious and depressed state in a year or you can begin to emotionally detox and within one year you can arrive back into the YOU- you know is in there. With that being said, persistence in your process and some necessary tools will move you along your journey at a pace that may satisfy your fear around time and patience.

Emotional Detox Tools-Use Them.

Meditation. It changed my life. BUT, I have recently come to realize that the advice to just all of a sudden incorporate such a practice into a life in chaos is all wrong and intimidating. You will get to the point of being able to hold your own healing space and daily practice in time. But, in the beginning, as you are starting to heal, you need someone to take you into this space- again you need guidance. Take a mediation class, get a mentor or coach and just commit.

Journaling. Take account of your life. Talk to yourself. Befriend yourself and your feelings. What are you afraid of? Journaling can be intimidating. What do you write? Is it wrong? So much anger, fear and sadness may come out. You feel blank. I know- that’s the point. One word at a time. It can even be the same word over and over. You just need to start the conversation with yourself and eventually magic will flow out of you- I promise. If you need more structure Julia Cameron’s “The Artist’s Way” is one of the most well known creative writing and journaling programs around and it works.

Abdominal massage. Yes, you should be incorporating abdominal massage sessions into your journey as you need to feel your body and access those places that hold the layers of what is blocking you and those layers are usually in our belly. This also extends to self-care as you can learn at home abdominal massage to keep the connection between sessions. I also recommend giving yourself a good dry brush session every once in a while to literally shed some skin and move some energy.

Castor oil packs. Castor oil when applied liberally with heat will penetrate the visceral (organ) layers of the body helping to literally detox toxins and soften tissue to allow for more flow of vital nutrients, oxygen, blood and energy. You can get a kit here.

YOU. You are your greatest tool. Your body knows how to heal when you make the shift to commit to uncovering the deepest layers of your illness and imbalances. Get to the heart of yourself, embrace the journey of emotionally detoxing your body if you want to see a real shift in your health and your life.

Embrace this New Year as a chance to shift- to change- to heal. Use the whole entire year- I dare ya.

Learn to Listen to Your Gut

Women’s hormones are a delicate and amazing rhythmic dance of communication and balance. Every month our bodies prepare for creation- it’s really a miracle. Each part of the monthly cycle has its own hormonal cues, associated physiological changes, emotions and needs. Unfortunately, so many woman aren’t educated enough in what their reproductive rhythms are telling them to realize that there is a wealth of knowledge about their health lying right in the pelvic bowl.

When you are balanced and in tune with your hormones and their messages you can actually begin to navigate your life with much more grace, creativity and power. You will understand what your body needs in regards to diet, exercise, stimulation and rest. Your emotions will no longer control your life- you will be in control of your life when you can distinguish hormone fluctuations and their signals from other emotions and imbalances in your body.

I realize that I may be painting a fantasy for those of you who have struggled with hormonal imbalances and painful periods most of your life. But you can tune in and change your relationship with your hormones. It does take work but anything worth doing does. As your hormones begin to balance it will all just become simple self-care (if you remember what that is). Give yourself the gift of this year as, depending on what state your hormones are in, these changes can take time.

The 10 Best Things for Your Hormones

Stop Birth Control Pills~ (even if it is just for 3 months to see how your body responds). For those of you who follow me you know how I feel about hormonal birth control. Many women take hormonal birth control to ease PMS and menstrual symptoms. You may feel better but I guarantee you that until you address the reason your hormones were a mess in the first place you will not get better. In fact other symptoms that you may not even relate to hormones may start to emerge- like digestive problems, fatigue and joint pain. Coming off of birth control is a very personal decision and you will need guidance and support to get your body balanced. This journey is worth the short term learning curve and discomfort.

Fix Your Digestion~ You will hear it again and again for good reason “it all starts in the gut”. Without proper absorption of nutrients and elimination of toxins your body’s hormonal cues will be thrown off. Your liver plays a vital role in breaking down hormones to be carried out in our waste control systems. If you cannot rid your body of the excess hormones floating around then that delicate feedback loop gets confused. Did you know that estrogen reduces gut motility? Then there is the issue of gut permeability and malabsorption (aka leaky gut) so nutrients aren’t getting broken down and instead entering your system in a way that puts stress on the body. This constant stress eventually causes hormonal imbalance and in many cases adrenal issues.

Switch Over to Organic~ There are so many opinions out there around if organic is necessary or some overpriced food fad. When it comes to your hormones organic matters. The chemicals, antibiotics and pesticides used in non-organic, commercially grown and processed foods have xenoestrogens in them creating an estrogen-like overload on your system. Your liver also takes a hard hit as it tries to process all of the toxins you are consuming. Most important to have organic is your meat, all greens, roots, berries and anything with a thin skin. It is a wonder why our young women are starting their menses as early as 8 years old.

De-estrogenize Your Home~ So you begin to clean up the inside with better foods but you are still drenching yourself and your home in chemicals and, yes again, xenoestrogens. Your skin is your largest organ and absorbs everything it comes into contact with. The beauty products you use contain large amounts of chemicals to allow them to stay soft, shiny, smooth, liquidy and fresh. A UK study showed that women who use makeup absorb 5 pounds of extra chemicals into their body per year! The major culprits: phthalates, sodium lauryl sulfates, all parabens, anolamines (DEA, TEA, MEA), petroleum (bye bye vasoline). Again, less is best. Simple coconut oil has many uses. And, there is amazing natural makeup on the market now. Just as important are your household cleaning products. There are many DIY sites for amazing cleaning products. Baking soda and white vinegar both do wonders for almost anything.

Have More Orgasms~ See there is a silver lining to fixing your hormones. Sex is very good for you. And, I mean the safe and enriching kind with someone you really connect with. We are talking about the reproductive system and in order to spark that reproducing nature you need to fuel the fire a bit. No partner? Creating that intimate connection with yourself is very nuturing and is necessary to have a healthy relationship with your hormones. Did you know orgasms reduce stress?- of course you did.

Get3-4 Maya Abdominal Therapy sessions~ The reason I became a Certified Arvigo Maya Abdominal Practitioner was from personal experience in the transformation these sessions created in connecting me with my feminine side, my hormonal rhythms and deepening my self-love. The abdomen is a gateway to so many layers emotionally and physiologically especially when it involves our sexual/reproductive functioning. By engaging the energy and addressing any misalignments and stagnation of the uterus and other abdominal organs we can begin to re-awaken the body’s natural ability to heal. Read more…

Connect with Nature~ There is a Japanese term, shinrin-yoku, that means “forest bathing”- yes please!. Women are rhythmic beings as we cycle with the moon and the Universal tides. Throughout history women have traditionally been the healers in tribes and villages creating healing concoctions from Mother Earth’s treasures. It is our calling to connect to nature and root into her magic. Nature is also a natural anti-depressant as it pulls stress off the body. It doesn’t take much- even 5 minutes of noticing a flower, tree and sunset is a start.

Drink Nettle Tea~ You all know I love my nettle infusions. Nettle is a super food in my opinion as it is full of minerals and iron (more than spinach and most all leafy greens). It has a variety of uses, but most important here is its use a reproductive tonic. It helps alleviate PMS and menopausal symptoms and I find it works wonders for women with fibroids due to its effects on inflammation. It also nourishes the kidneys and supports liver detoxification. I like to make infusions as I feel the fresh dried herb is the best quality, and I also just prefer to make my own “medicine” when I can. You can get nettle in tincture and capsule form if being an at-home herbalist is too daunting.

Dance~ Inside all of us is a dancer. I have seen the magic of dance transform women of all ages as I join my BaDi class here in Seattle’s Capitol Hill neighborhood a few times per week. You do not have to be professional, or even have much rhythm. Moving your hips and expressing your innermost passions, desires and emotions will surely have an effect on your female rhythms. Try belly dancing, NIA, a beginning ballet class or an ecstatic dance class. If you commit to dancing your divine feminine will surely awaken.

Sleep~ A study conducted by MedScape Neurology showed that restricted sleep, meaning 6.5 hours or less per night, reduced thyroid function and growth hormone and increased evening cortisol. Increased cortisol alone will result in reproductive hormone imbalance not to mention your body’s ability to manage insulin and blood sugar levels. We need to rest and repair every system in the body and it is imperative that if you are dealing with hormonal imbalance and daily fatigue that you get at least 7-8 hours of shut eye per night. Turn off the Facebook and shut down your brain at least 30 minutes before you go to bed. Your life and your hormones literally depend on this.

A year flies by and to think that if you had only started even a little of this journey in your hormone health last year where you would be now. Have this be the year your hormonal symphony gives you a rhythm you can really groove to.

Learn to Listen to Your Gut

Adrenal fatigue seems to be all the buzz lately. It makes sense that integrative and now allopathic doctors are looking at our adrenal system as a source of the many complaints clients/patients have today. Our adrenals, simply put, manage how our body responds to stress and uses energy and balanced energy is necessary for EVERY function in the body. This is why, in my experience personally and with clients, I think it necessary to address adrenal health before, or in conjunction with, your hormone, gut and metabolic restoration protocols.

I have had many health issues surrounding shut down and dysfunction of my hormone and gut health. I have pulled myself out of hypothalamic amenorrhea into easy menstrual cycles and now seem to be turning a major corner in my digestion. I believe this major recent shift is due to my diligent work on my mind/body/soul, but mostly because I finally learned how MY adrenals were functioning.

Before this shift it seemed that even with all of the protocols I had done with self- assessment and administration of supportive herbs for energy, I was not getting over a major hump. Yes, I had my period but it was still a bit uncomfortable. Yes, I had a bowel movement every day but they were very underwhelming and incomplete. Even with these improvements I was exhausted every day, my brain fog and concentration bordered on dementia and my emotional state was very rocky.

What Adrenal Fatigue Looks Like

Overall fatigue throughout the day. You can’t regain energy post workout and getting out of bed is a struggle.

Brain fog. You are forgetting even small common words, major events and an overall “umm, I know the information is in there but my mind just went blank”.

Sleep is disturbed. You light up with energy post 9pm and wake around 3am all abuzz.

Your eating is erratic. You crave salt, (I would say sweets also but salt craving is a big clue). You want to eat everything and then you have no appetite.

Your hormones are all over the place. Mostly adrenal fatigue will result in diminished reproductive hormone function.

Your digestion is underwhelming.

Your immune system struggles. You get more colds and just feel like you are always fighting a little something.

You have very low blood pressure. Do you get dizzy when you stand?

Note that the list sounds like so many other diagnoses and dysfunctions- especially like thyroid dysfunction. Remember, the adrenals manage your stress response and energy. Hormones, glands and organs need energy to function and communicate- thyroid is a gland and a hormone. Again, this is why addressing your adrenal health is vital if you have hormone, gut and metabolic issues.

How Adrenals Work

For the purpose of this article I won’t get to deep into the adrenal system as it is complex. You can easily google HPA axis and adrenal function. But simply put, the adrenals are walnut size glands that sit atop your kidneys. They have an outer cortex and an inner medulla. The cortex produces a variety of hormones- most familiar is cortisol. We all know that cortisol under and overproduction can lead to major metabolic issues. The medulla controls your flight or fight system through epinephrine and norepinephrine. The adrenals literally communicate with every function in your body.

How to Heal the Adrenals (and your gut, hormones, metabolism)

Sleep. You need it, you don’t get it and it is necessary for every function. You will not regain adrenal health completely without shutting down your computer by 10pm and in bed 30 mins later. Take naps.

Proper diet. A diet rich in a variety of organic, high quality foods is necessary- this means fats, proteins and balanced carbohydrates. Sugar, caffeine and alcohol are adrenal killers. You also must get enough calories so that your body doesn’t go into stress mode thinking that it is starving.

Limit your exercise. Walking and yoga are really all you need at this time. As you begin to heal you will really be able to tune in and gauge your daily energy capacity- it is a beautiful thing.

There are some simple herbs that nourish the adrenals- ashwaganda, licorice, ginseng and rhodiola are a few.

Adding high quality electrolytes like this to your diet really helps. The adrenals NEED salt and balanced electrolytes to function. They also help the kidneys manage the water balance in the body- you need adequate sodium levels for this.

These lifestyle practices are sometimes enough to bring people back. I always try to use food and lifestyle first before suggesting supplementation. However, in most cases of adrenal fatigue people have been in this state for so long that other measures are necessary- this was me.

How I Turned the Corner into Adrenal Balance

Like I mentioned I was stuck in a little trap of trying to self-assess and self-administer before I finally began to feel better and really heal my adrenals. First step is to get a salivary cortisol test with an ND (Naturopathic doc). This information is invaluable in understanding where your dips in energy are throughout the day. It will also measure other hormones that can give you great insight. When I received my results and discovered my morning cortisol was low it was a game changer.

Next is to majorly nourish the adrenals. The steps above are necessary as a part of your adrenal health but typically not enough like I said. I began taking a product called Cytozyme- AD from Biotics Research. I am always nervous when supplementing for hormone and gland health as the system is so delicate. But, taking a glandular made sense to me as it is literally tissue feeding tissue.

I took it in the morning only as that was when my adrenals needed most nourishment. In a matter of 2 days I gained a sense of vitality that I have really never felt. Almost every adrenal symptom I was feeling had/has been alleviated. I still have days when I feel my adrenals being pushed as the hole I was in was deep. I do have to sleep well, eat well and love myself daily- forever. But having the clouds lift a bit makes all of the self-care not only easier but something that is becoming a way of life. When you have energy for your life you are able to make the choice to nourish your every aspect of being.

The Moral of the Story?

Your body is an amazing and delicate machine that needs energy to thrive.

You can feel better.

Knowledge is power.

Sometimes you need a little help. Do NOT do it alone- get help from a health professional.

I know- I have been there- I can help.

As the holidays approach managing stress is at an all time high. Not to mention the craziness of the food-party-drink-lack of sleep cycle. You NEED help. I am running a 30 minute Power Coaching Special. You will receive guidance in one- two major areas to help you feel supported. If you have never had the support from a Holistic Health Coach this is a great way to see if my program is right for you. Click HERE to schedule.

If you order products through the links above I thank you as it supports this site. Remember to use “Jamie” for a discount at the check out for any Tummy Temple orders.

Want to dive in a bit deeper?

Head over to the Adrenal Fatigue Solution and download the amazing “Adrenal Fatigue Solution” e-book. It is an incredibly informative and accurate read on how to address your adrenal health.

Bone broth has always been a staple in ancient traditions for deep nourishment and healing. We all know that “chicken soup is good for the soul” and its healing properties for your upset tummy and runny nose have been used by your mother, grandmother, great grandmother and way beyond. However, the healing properties of the soup lie within the proper cooking of the bones to make a medicinal broth- not from a can or from the store.

Benefits of Bone Broth

Full of minerals and essential amino acids

Enhances digestion and helps heal the gut

Increases immunity

Strengthens all tissues in the body due to its high collagen content (it’s kinda like natural Botox for your entire body)

Reduces overall inflammatory response in the body

I have been making bone broth for years and immediately notice how nourished my body feels when I add it to my daily diet. In fact, I am currently doing a kind of “bone broth cleanse” to heal my gut, give my digestive system a rest without compromising nourishment and protect me from all the viruses going around. I have seen the benefits in myself and others almost immediately through the appearance of skin and joint mobility due to the effects of the collagen/gelatin intake (gelatin is the broken down cooked form).

Collagen/gelatin is a protein molecule that is responsible for our connective tissue strength, mobility and suppleness. It contains some very essential amino acids-specifically glycine and proline-that have been shown to heal the lining of the gastrointestinal tract and have systemic anti-inflammatory effects. Studies have also shown that adding traditional foods like bone broth to your diet is essential in receiving the proper balance of all the essential amino acids that come from consuming varied parts of an animal. Our modern Paleo, high protein diets consist of the cleaned up and pretty muscle meat only part of the animal; this explains the eating of chicken feet and pig’s ears in many parts of the world- I prefer bone broth.

Glycine and Proline

Reduce stressors on the body

Can improve sleep through natural calming and balancing effects.

Regulate hormones in the body by supporting proper neurotransmitter response.

Assist in proper cleansing of the liver (necessary for phase 2 detoxification- another blog and time)

Help break down proteins for creating healthy and new muscle cells

Manage cholesterol by preventing excess build up

A generous supply of glycine/gelatin, against a balanced background of amino acids, has a great variety of anti-stress actions. When only the muscle meats are eaten, the amino acid balance entering our blood stream is the same as that produced by extreme stress.- Glycine is recognized as an “inhibitory” neurotransmitter, and promotes natural sleep. ~ Ray Peat

In additional to the amazing benefits, bone broth is a wonderful staple in your kitchen for soups, stews and adding a little healthy and flavorful liquid to your every day cooking. Making bone broth is extremely easy and makes the house smell incredible.

Choosing the Right Bones

The ideal broth will have a very “jello-like” consistency when cool. Some broths come out very clear and liquid but are still full of beneficial minerals; it all depends on the bones you choose and how you cook your broth. When seeking the most collagen/gelatin think of the parts of the animal that contain the most cartilage. Then decide if you prefer chicken, beef, pork or even fish for your flavor. I currently am loving beef broth.

Beef: Knuckle bones with some marrow bones

Chicken: Whole carcass especially joints

Fish: Whole body- especially head.

It is also VERY important that you get your bones from a natural/organic animal source. I simply go early to my Farmer’s market, as the bones go fast, or ask the butcher at my local grocer. Many grocers this time of year will also stock bones in the freezer for people making broth for their holiday meals.

The Recipe

All you need is a Crock Pot or stove top pot that can hold heat and simmer for up to 2 days. However, this requires you leave your stove on so I highly recommend a crock. I purchased mine at Goodwill for $5- childhood memories included.

Bones- (roughly 2 lbs or 1-2 chicken carcasses depending on size)

Veggies- I add carrots, celery, parsley and onion. I chop them only to fit in the pot and leave all stalks on. This all gets filtered out at the end.

1/4 cup apple cider vinegar. This helps leach the most minerals from the bones. Some people add wine in addition.

And- this is where the medicine comes in- 1/4-1/2 ounce dried reishi and kombu and 1 ounce of nettle. I also add things like burdock root and whatever my body craves like ginger or a cinnamon stick for a different flavor.

Simply put the bones and your other ingredients in the pot and fill with enough filtered water to just cover by an inch. You can roast the beef bones for more flavor but not necessary. Bring the broth to a low simmer and leave simmering for: 24 hours if cooking chicken and 48 hours for beef. When the broth is finished cooking strain to remove all bones and vegetables as they won’t have any taste left in them. There will be a layer of fat that forms at the top as the broth cools- you can use it in cooking or just discard. Add salt to taste.

As mentioned your broth should have a gelatin consistency when cool. Use it in all of your cooking and soup making. Use it as a nourishing tonic between meals or as a meal replacement when giving your body and belly a digestive rest- you will be surprisingly satiated from a cup of broth.

Don’t Have Time for Broth?

Well, there are few things that compare but this product here is absolutely incredible and dissolves in water without odor or taste. It comes from a very pure animal source and is a complete profile of the amino acid benefits of collagen/gelatin.

If you are lucky enough to live in the Seattle area there is a little company called Marrow and Root where chef and creator Jamie Hartung makes the most nourishing and delicious bone broth I have had away from my own (sans secret ingredients). The broths come in a beautiful mason jar sealed with ingredient listing and lots of love. She would love to take your order via phone: 206-948-0397

Please share your recipes and tips for your own broth. And, as always I am here to guide you…

Birth control (BC) and family planning is a very personal journey and decision that I honor in every client I work with around the topic. With that said however, I have a strong opinion on the use of prescription medications for imbalances without total and full education around all options and potential side effects. Yes, birth control pills are a medication. Yes they have side effects. YES there are other options to consider like FAM (fertility awareness method) and various barrier methods. Yes your hormones are out of balance and you feel like total crap- NO this is not a birth control pill deficiency.

My opinion, research and passion around educating women in this area began when I was 30 (omg that makes me sound so old- ahem). For a few months I had been feeling “off”. Not just my usual kinda crazy, all over the place self- this was different. My emotional state was absolutely intolerable and I could not figure out what had flipped. I ran to a doctor in the middle of my workday as I literally could not deal with myself one more moment. This was not my preferable choice of care as I was nervous about his 10 minute assessment, but I was desperate and he had an appointment. After losing it in his office he wrote me a prescription for Paxil. I hate meds, but didn’t care. I took the Paxil and in 3 weeks time I had not only fallen apart even more- I now felt numb and lifeless.

I finally went to an ND for a full assessment. She asked me a series of amazing questions- actually listening. After hearing everything the one question that really hit home was “why are you on birth control pills?” I was tongue tied and confused. “Isn’t everyone on BC?!”- “I just am and always have been”- “I don’t really know anymore as my partner and I are apart”. What happened next may be too much for some of you but I am all about full disclosure.

I stopped taking BC just like that. Within 2 weeks my head cleared and I began to feel this sense of myself that I hadn’t in years. But, then came the layers of what a medication does to your system… I broke out into a full fungal/yeast infection from mid thigh to my navel. Everything I ate bothered my belly and manifested through more outbreak. No matter how much I tried to calm the itching and craziness nothing would work. I began to research my symptoms and what I discovered was I had gone into a healing crisis due to my gut trying to repair itself after the years of birth control pills disrupting my gut lining. The yeast and fungus finally cleared but the effects of BC remained for years to come adding to my struggle with hypothalamic amenorrhea.

The BC pill is a relatively new medicine only making its official debut in the 60’s as an approved contraceptive method. It was originally only prescribed for intense dysmenorrhea (painful menses) before being allowed to be used as a contraceptive method. It is the most studied medication in history and carries a legacy of controversy around a woman’s right to choose how she manages her reproductive health. The original formulas were pulled from the market as they were highly carcinogenic. New formulas were developed and now over 150 million women world wide take BC pills.

Lately it seems that almost every client I work with has concern over her use of BC pills and is quite frustrated at her lack of guidance from her doctor. Most of them originally started taking BC pills for painful and irregular periods and acne. The clients still on BC complain of a sense of disconnect from their body. Those recently off the pill realize that not only have their imbalances not gone away but they are left with some serious side effects. All that I ask is that we tell our women the truth around the BC pill…

The problem is that so many women today use hormonal contraception for the wrong reason: to mask the symptoms of an underlying hormonal issue. According to a 2011 study by the Guttmacher Institute… 58 percent of women use hormonal birth control for purposes other than preventing pregnancy.

The TRUTH About Birth Control Pills

The BC pill does NOT help your hormonal imbalances. It only addresses symptoms through a synthetic, “masking”, action on your reproductive system. The original imbalance is still there quietly running in the background. I see women with symptoms of adrenal burnout and thyroid imbalance who cannot seem to find relief as their hormonal symphony is bound in the BC pill never allowing for a true read on what is really taking place in the body.

BC pills destroy the beneficial bacteria in your gut. They are a medication. And, like most medications they break down the integrity of the gut lining allowing a proliferation of yeast and digestive disturbances to take place.

Long term use can contribute to fertility challenges? I put a question mark because some research says yes and some says no. (It depends on who is conducting the study) The concern is we don’t know. The BC pill is so new to our recent generations that the long term impact on reproductive health and the impact on our children’s health is really unknown. I would say that if you are one of the 58% taking the pill for hormonal and skin issues, then the likelihood that you have difficulty conceiving post pill could be high as a hormonal imbalance is going to cause some fertility challenges. Fertility challenges are on the rise and a relatively new issue compared to our mothers and grandmothers; we don’t know why. Many women come off the pill and conceive within a month to a year. Many women come off the pill and have long term issues and loads of regret.

Not having your period is NOT healthy. Many BC pills now stop your period. Your body was designed to create life and each month is a beautiful ritual of building, bursting and shedding. Through out history women have used their cycle as a way to tune into their creativity and intuition. The period is a beautiful release for the body and the spirit- to shed what needs to go so that new energy can grow. Also, having a regular period is a sign of vitality. Even after women stop the pill 5-10% do not resume a period for a very long time only to begin very irregular periods. No period is no good.

The BC pill can increase cancer risk. The pill and cancer is a 2 sides of the same coin issue. In 2005 a group of scientists from the WHO (World Health Organization) pointed to the pill as increasing the risk of cervical, breast and liver cancer. However, the pill can lower the risk of ovarian and endometrial cancer. I believe that a healthy, balanced, pill free body is your best defense against all disease.

Other Side Effects Worth a Mention:

Weight gain and bloating

Low libido

Mood Swings

Blood clotting issues

High blood pressure

Decreased bone density setting you up for osteoporosis and fracture

So What Do You Do Now!?

So you’ve had it with feeling disconnected and unsure of your decision to take BC pills for so many years. You want to tackle your hormone issues and be in tune with your body but you don’t want to get pregnant right now and still be able to have wild passionate sex with your love.

First you want to work with someone who can help guide you through this decision and support you around nourishment and lifestyle choices that help transition the body off of the pill. The body is resilient but will need a good gut rebuild protocol, liver support and hormone friendly foods that help establish a hormonal rhythm.

Next you want to learn how to tune into your cycle and understand the cues around when your body can and cannot conceive. Sounds scary and difficult I know. Good news- couples that work together to understand the rhythms of the woman’s body not only have great success in preventing pregnancy they find that their bond is stronger and the woman’s body becomes a bit juicier. Fertility Awareness Method (FAM) and barrier methods such as contraceptive foam and the diaphragm are highly effective when used properly and with great awareness. I always recommend using a condom during transition time until you, your body and your partner all sync up with your cycle. Eventually, in monogamous and supportive relationships, FAM alone will be easy and worth the work. Working with someone to help you tune into your cycle and begin understanding FAM is very beneficial. These books (here and here) are also VERY informative and I can’t imagine any woman not owning one.

The data show that in women who are ideal users-who use the method (FAM) correctly every time- barrier methods and even FAM can be 95-98% effective.

If all you desire is convenience and tuning into your rhythms and working on your hormones sounds like an addition to the pile of daily stress, I do hope this article made you think just a bit and I still honor your decision. I am here for questions regardless of where you are at.

As I said earlier, how women manage their reproductive livelihood is a very personal journey. I don’t think any woman would agree that a system that severs our natural rhythms, causes severe short and long term side effects, mostly removes the burden from their male partners to learn about the female body and take any contraceptive responsibility is a great leap in reproductive health and freedom. I do think, however, that we would all agree that there are cases in which birth control pills offer a positive solution. There will always be controversy on the tails of something that alters the chemistry of a system that produces life and creativity. Knowledge is power and puts the freedom back in the hands of our women- you decide.

Learn to Listen to Your Gut

Resources:

Northrup,C, M.D. Women’s Bodies, Women’s Wisdom. 2010- Random House

Vitti, A. Woman Code. 2013- Harper Collins

Nikolchev, A. “A Brief History of the Birth Control Pill”. 2010 PBS.org

Gates, D. “The Dangers Every Woman Needs to Know About the Birth Control Pill”. 2008 bodyecology.com

Once upon a time, many moons ago, women around the globe practiced healing techniques and rituals that nourished and supported sexual vitality, fertility, life transitions, visionary dreaming and intuitive channeling. Womb health was valued and taught to each generation so that women could tune into the rhythms and wisdom of their body on the journey from menarche to menopause and beyond.

Specifically and still practiced today, Mayan shamans and midwives throughout Latin America would use hands on healing of the womb, body and the spirit to support and heal fertility, transitions, pathologies, pain and traumas.

What fascinates me most is their intuition concerning the position of the uterus, and other abdominal organs, in relation to mental, spiritual, physical and hormonal discomfort and imbalance (they had no “medical” training). They understood that the uterus, an organ that can move, stretch and grow during childbirth and menstruation is susceptible to moving or tipping into a position that is sub-optimal at any time.

The last known Mayan Shaman in Belize, Don Elijio Panti, would always say “when a woman’s womb is out of place, her life is out of place”.

As this work has been passed down into the hands of gifted practitioners throughout the world for decades now, the techniques have been successful in many modern pelvic and abdominal imbalances:

I remember the first time I had a Maya abdominal massage. I felt a beam of energy rise up through my belly and for the first time in my life I felt my womb- the next day I bled. I learned that my uterus was retroverted and there was congestion through my inguinal lymph nodes. At the end of the session I was taught invaluable hands on self-care for a life of connection and deep listening to my body.

Like so many of my clients I just wished I had found this work and felt my body in this way 10-20 years ago. How did I not know this about my own body? How is this not taught to every woman everywhere? The grief and anger I was holding from losing my rites of passage and learning around my body- this female vessel of miraculous creative potentials- have been clearing ever since I began this journey as teacher and recipient. And, not only has my pelvic health been restored but I am continuing to see ancestral patterns heal and my intuitive senses awaken to visionary states.

I feel it necessary to interject and say here that I know that this work can heal many layers of the body- mind that other things cannot. AND, I am fully in support of modern interventions when knowledge has been obtained to make informed decisions around our bodies and when every beautiful Earth and Spirit created medicine has been tried. Typically I find that, like in the case of profusely bleeding fibroids where surgery is life saving, or of teens in very compromised situations where birth control is a necessary safety measure, that womb healing work supports the full integration of these measures while providing support of the entire system.

I fully honor every person’s decision around their body when they have obtained the knowledge they need to understand all options. We have been greatly misled, and frankly abused, by the modern fertility interventions that creep into and control our bodies under the guise of freedom masquerading as Life intelligence. These sessions will inform you- knowledge is power and true control over your precious creative vessel.

Why I say EVERY woman should receive Maya abdominal massage?

I have seen in almost every client I work with, regardless of pathology or imbalance, that the emotional release alone can put into motion a long awaited healing.

These sessions are your rites of passage.

You want your uterus in place don’t you?

You will actually understand how your hormones and female parts work- maybe for the first time ever.

I consider it necessary female hygiene and self-care.

Your body will reveal amazing messages and guidance for you.

You WILL feel better

You will learn these techniques for a lifetime of self-care that you will hopefully share with other women you love.

As you begin your journey into your pelvic bowl with a practitioner, I highly recommend an initial investment of 4 sessions over 6-8 weeks so that the tissues remember and hold the work, the new positioning and so the nervous system can integrate the deep emotional and spiritual healing. Also, as energies rise and release it is wise to have someone to communicate with along your journey.

I know you have questions and some can be answered here. I LOVE getting emails jamie@wellbellyhealing.com

The main theme for October is “THE THREE-LEGGED STOOL” ~ Author Lena Stevens

October is a balancing act. The image is of watching a circus act from a place of terror and excitement and then feeling both relieved and exhilarated when the act is successfully completed. This month pushes the edge of everything, forcing expansion, new strategies for balance and a necessary letting go of what really does not work. It is an exciting, terrifying, exhilarating month with the challenge of extreme panic and fear as well as the opportunity to experience the ecstatic state of higher frequencies like never before. It is truly a circus that we are both witness to and performers in.

There are two eclipses this month as well as some interesting astrological aspects that support the month to be one of the most eccentric, creative, surprising and unpredictable we have had in a long time.

I could have explored many themes this month: Balancing act, radical shift, intensity, surprise, expansion, risk, edge, terror, chaos, power, balance, unpredictable, unstable, revolution/evolution, eccentric, new alignment.. But decided on the three legged stool” because it is an image that to me best describes the situation we find ourselves in this month.

A three-legged stool is unstable but stable at the same time. Its stability depends on the user. If you use a three-legged stool, which can be a great support when you need something to sit on, you need to be sitting straight and balanced. If you lean too far in either direction you will fall off. It requires attention to how you are sitting, with your back straight, as well as the awareness of where you have placed the stool, hopefully on stable ground. And your feet have to be firmly planted on the ground. There will be times this month where your stool may actually feel like a one legged-stool requiring even more presence, attention and inner stability and balance.

So the three-legged stool (sometimes a one-legged stool) is a metaphor for the times. We have everything we need to support our lives and to midwife our transformation. We just need to trust our seemingly unstable environment, and pay attention to how we are navigating our lives every day. We need to be in our personal power, connected to the integrity of our hearts and striving for a new balance. We need to release our old stories and become more comfortable with the mystery of the unknown. We need to shift our platforms of security from exterior systems to interior ones. In other words, trust more in our talents, inner wisdom, personal beliefs and the higher self of spirit rather than the money in the bank, corporate jobs, or the roof over our heads. We need to allow inspiration and a new higher frequency to guide us as we keep a “don’t know mind”.

How does one stay neutral and balanced in the midst of such unpredictability and chaos? How does one stay firmly planted on that three-legged or one-legged stool in the middle of a windstorm or hurricane?

Know who you are and don’t get swayed by another’s fear, beliefs, judgments or expectations.

Don’t take things personally.

Always move yourself to the place of enthusiasm and excitement when you feel the terror coming on. There is a fine line between terror and excitement. Terror will always throw you into a lower frequency whereas excitement will keep you moving in the right direction with the right attitude.

Keep a “don’t know mind” and listen to your heart.

Tell the truth no matter what.

Trust in spirit and your own higher self and inner voice.

Allow yourself to feel joy.

Never blame others. Take that chip off your shoulder once and for all.

Forgive, forgive, and forgive.

Slow down and finish what you started before jumping into the next inspired task.

Be eccentric rather than “normal”.

Think creatively whenever possible.

How the month shows up

YOU PERSONALLY

This is a highly creative and eccentric month. Push the envelope of your expression in the world. Try new things. Take a risk. Say YES to something you have been contemplating but have been too afraid to commit to. Instead of becoming small and retreating back into limitation, prioritize when you feel the chaos of having too much on your plate.

There is an opportunity here to express more authentically and to find a new alignment and a new balance in your life. This is also a month where you can tap into a reservoir of personal power that you did not realize you had. The mantra should be “anything is possible”. You just need to allow it by keeping yourself as free as possible from the “old story” of limitation and victimization. The roof literally comes off the building allowing you to move into a new space, a higher floor, and an expanded view of your world that includes more light, joy and possibility.

What will get in the way of that?

The need to know, the need to be right, arrogance, impatience, martyrdom, attachment to your “position”, fear, and mistrust of life working out just right. Watch the need to tell others how to navigate their three or one-legged stool and instead learn to manage your own balance and alignment. It is a great month for personal growth. Don’t be afraid to ask for help. If you find that the usual methods of support you have relied on are not providing what you need, try something new and radical.
RELATIONSHIPS

Relationships are ready for some fun, eccentricity and spontaneity. The task this month is to use the influences to dissolve the mistrust and conditional expectations that keep intimacy at bay and create barriers to love and joy and true support. Finding your balance in relationships requires telling the truth no matter what and not taking the projections of others personally.

Relationships will be affected by the eccentric personality of the month and can be fed by the creative aspect. Remember that as you expect others to accept your new way of being, you must also be in acceptance of others. If your partner chooses to die their hair green, accept it and rejoice in their creative expression instead of being horrified.

If you have children, they will be acting out. There is a lot of fire and solar energy this month that will quicken anger and aggressive reactions. Allow lots of room for expression while holding strong boundaries. Always give a choice and accept expressions that are eccentric as long as they are not dangerous or damaging. This goes for adults too!

ENVIRONMENT

Quirky weather and other phenomena, unexpected and unpredictable, are just a few of the environmental expressions we may be faced with. The three-legged (or one-legged) stool here is about being extremely flexible and spontaneous in your plans. Eccentricity hits the environment as it does everything else this month. Look for radical changes in temperatures, sudden storms and unpredictable changes in weather predictions. In fact nothing is predictable any more. When something happens that is unprecedented, the mind always tries to rationalize it or deny its occurrence. “This NEVER happens here”…..”It must be because”….. Remember that nature is highly creative and reflective of our own process of pushing the edge of the envelope of our comfort level. So be prepared for anything and everything this month.

On a fun note, may be delighted by reports of eccentric activity on the planet involving animals, humans and nature.

In terms of your personal environment, continue to weed and clear out what is no longer “you” (even if it is a family heirloom). Bring some creativity into your space: color, art, beauty, sound. Be a little risky and eccentric. Have some fun.
HEALTH/PHYSICAL BODY

Balance, balance, balance. Find a rhythm that works for you in your own personal self-care. Be ruthless and disciplined about taking time for yourself especially when you feel overwhelmed. Listen to your own inner wisdom regarding what you need. Humor is an all-important emotion this month as it will lubricate the path to truth telling and raise you up out of shame, despair and depression. Always find something to laugh about regarding any adverse situation concerning your health and well-being.

There will be lots and lots of energy available this month and you can easy burn out unless you have balance. The adrenals will need support. Watch liver heat as the solar energy this month stimulates and triggers impatience and aggression. Make sure to get PLENTY of exercise of the kind that makes you sweat. You will need this outlet for the possible build up of energy that otherwise will keep you sleepless at night.

Balancing your three-legged stool demands that you create a good structure around your self-care that you can commit to.

BUSINESS/PARTNERSHIPS/PROJECTS

Think big and think out of the box. Dream beyond what you think is possible as it may actually be possible. One of the lessons this month is to learn to stretch so you become comfortable in the reality that is just a dream and not manifest as well as keeping your anchor in the reality that you are used to. Learn to keep a foot in both worlds, the seen and the unseen. This is the place of power and will keep you from getting too attached to what you see manifest as you build your trust in the belief that it can always change. The unseen world is where ideas and dreams and creativity come from. The more you are able to navigate and trust that world, the more you will see your dreams manifest.

The challenge will be to get rebalanced as quickly as possible if something happens in your business or project that throws you off center. You may feel at times like your three-legged stool is a one-legged stool and that you are about to fall off the edge. Instead of going into terror, take a swan dive into the unknown and trust spirit that it will all end up OK. This is a great month to change it up and bring some newness into any project, business or partnership. So have fun, play a little and definitely bring humor into the mix.

DATES AND TIME FRAMES

October 1-7: The “heat” is on! You feel energized, inspired, a little like you want to jump out of your skin, and maybe having a hard time trying to figure out where to put and focus all this energy. Make a list of the things you HAVE to do as well as the things you WANT to do. Of the things you HAVE to do, identify what you can delegate. Prioritize the rest. Of the things you WANT to do, what is the most important and exciting and attainable thing you can start doing now?

Your three-legged stool this week is about learning to organize chaos and how to structure your time so you balance the HAVE TO’s with the WANT TO’s in a way that does not keep you enslaved to the HAVE TO’s. Even if you do not get all of your responsibilities done in one day, cut them off at a reasonable time so you have some space to do a little of what you really want to do.

It will be super important in this time to have a creative and physical outlet for energy. Sometimes when you are over-amped and without an outlet, that energy turns inward causing you to feel the opposite of energized. So if you are feeling depleted, you may actually need to go out and exercise.

October 8: Full Moon with a total Lunar Eclipse is Wednesday, October 8th at 4:51 AM MDT (mountain daylight time). This is truly an intense and possibly highly emotional time that will trigger and push everything to the edge and beyond. Instead of retreating or freezing up in fear and terror, go out and become part of the storm. Harness the tremendous energy that has the potential to feed your creativity and dreams in ways you could never have imagined.

Stay away from drama that is not yours, as there will be some out there that react to this level of energy by projecting it into negativity and fear. Keep your frequency high and always turn your focus towards the truth of what works for you. This full moon and eclipse triggers a two week time frame of revolutionary intensity that can either propel you into radical transformation or have you falling off the three-legged stool. Your ability to pay attention, and to stay focused and present while also allowing yourself to grab the power of the storm, will be key to staying firmly on the stool.
October 8-15: In the aftermath of the Full Moon and Lunar Eclipse, this time frame is about finding a new balance. Be disciplined about continuing to move yourself away from old patterns of security and comfort, and towards a new alignment. Look for the excitement of the risk and explore the threads of your creative ideas and inspirations while managing your daily life through the discipline of your routines and practices.

You will know you are on the right track when a creative idea or inspiration won’t leave you alone, and you notice that the universe begins to align all kinds of support around it. Keep aligning with new and different energies by doing some new things, connecting with new people, changing something in your environment and always pushing for just a bit more creativity and eccentricity.
October 16-23: This time frame is a bit of a yo-yo with its ups and downs and possible surprises and unpredictable events. Be prepared for anything and everything. This does not mean sitting back, hiding and waiting for the other shoe to drop. It means being proactive and passionate about everything in your life but with the flexibility, lack of judgment and neutrality that allows for spontaneity and a possible radical change of plans.

This is also the time to put into action some of what is beginning to manifest around what you WANT to do rather than what you HAVE to do. It is a highly creative and spontaneous time frame that supports eccentric expression and risk taking. Sometimes it is easier to see what you don’t want than what you do want. Weed out what you don’t want and the new desires will become clearer.

October 23: New Moon with a partial Solar Eclipse is Thursday, October 23 at 3:56 PM MDT (mountain daylight time). This is the second eclipse of the month and serves as a bookend to the most highly eccentric aspect of the month. Take some time today to just breathe. It’s as if you have just witnessed the most radical circus act and your adrenalin is settling back to normal. If there is any way to take a bit of a retreat here just to honor yourself and your authentic self with gratitude and awareness of your many talents, do it.

It could just be that you give yourself an hour to be in contemplation or you leave work early to take a walk.

This new moon is a reset point where you get to decide who you are and what you are up to, what you WANT to do and how you are going to express and support it. The energy of the eclipse period as well as this new moon will feed these inner realizations with much power and help carry this new alignment forward.

October 24-31: Busy, busy, busy. Now that you have learned to somewhat stabilize your three-legged stool, and the universe has opened some opportunities around what you said you wanted, it’s time to get to work to sort and organize and focus and actually do what you said you wanted to do. Watch for procrastination as a defense around “what you think you don’t know how to do so you put it off”. There is a steep learning curve that comes with the new territories in your life and it requires patience, discipline and keeping a “don’t know mind”. Baby steps are good.

Some of you may feel like you did on your first day of school; excited, somewhat terrified and not sure whether to run forward into the playground or back into the security of your known environment. It’s too late to turn back and you would not want to anyway.

So get to work, make it fun, be eccentric, stay present, keep expressing and creating and remember to keep your balance. If it feels like too much go back to the list of HAVE to and WANT to. Prioritize, delegate, eliminate. Make sure you end up with way more WANT to than HAVE to.

Have a great month,

Lena

Thank you for reading. If this forecast came to you through a forward or share and if you wish to receive other updates via email please go to our website and sign up www.thepowerpath.com

** All guest posts are used with permissions from the author. Wellbelly Healing shares information and messages that inspire and that WBH simply couldn’t have done better. With gratitude…

"My womb speak session with Jamie was heartfelt and profound!
Her medicine is genuine and beautiful. I felt that she truly heard me both literally and physically; she was psychically listening to all the nuances of my body, mind, and soul. Jamie was the missing link my body was looking for to continue its healing and assist in the rise of conscious awareness. . For that I am forever grateful to Jamie.”

Anna S. Yoga Teacher, Reiki Master

"One session with Jamie has had a lasting impact on my life. She has such a profound, personal understanding of the collective wound of the masculine that I felt instantly seen and tenderly moved in that part of myself. The space she holds allowed me to surrender and trust my inner godliness. The breath work we did together felt like a meeting of heaven and earth; a remembrance of the great power flowing through each one of us. I truly believe our work together has led me to a new level of peace and wholeness. I highly recommend her to any person, looking to heal in a deep and meaningful way."

Spencer P.

Your body has a message and holds your medicine.
Sign up for inspirational insights and..
Enter to win a free online Womb Speak or Embodiment Session.

Privacy: You can change your mind at any time by clicking the unsubscribe link in the footer of any email you receive from us, or by contacting us at jamie@wellbellyhealing.com. We will treat your information with respect and never share your information with any third party.